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Automatix is a Linux-based tool which automates the addition of applications, codecs, fonts and libraries not provided directly by the software repositories of the Ubuntu and Mepis distributions for legal or philosophical reasons.
These distributions do not include certain packages or configuration settings which allow the playing of DVDs or MP3 files or the viewing of Adobe Flash content, for example. Packages that allow the playing of MP3s are available to download from official sources but cannot be included on the CD. Packages to enable the playing of DVDs include the DeCSS algorithm which is illegal in many countries. Although adding these manually is possible, it can be time consuming. This is a particular problem for distributions which are aimed at simplifying the desktop Linux experience.
Automatix currently allows the menu-driven installation of 56 different 'capabilities', including commercial closed source programs such as the Flash plugin, Acrobat Reader, multimedia codecs (DivX, MP3, Windows Media Audio) and fonts, and programming compilers.
Response
Automatix is not recommended by the Ubuntu development team which has criticised its content. (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommonCustomizations) Some individual Ubuntu developers have blamed Automatix for breaking updates from Dapper to Edgy. (http://www.netsplit.com/blog/articles/2006/10/30/automatix-and-upgrading) (http://jonathancarter.co.za/?p=58) On 2 November 2006 Ubuntu CTO Matt Zimmerman said "I cannot recommend the use of this program, and systems where it has been used cannot be supported with a clean and official upgrade path." (https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2006-November/022185.html)
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